ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ - The area around 4th Avenue and Ocean Boulevard was cordoned off yesterday afternoon as police investigated an explosive device found by a homeowner. The homemade incidiary device resembled a large black cylinder about three inches long and an inch in diameter with a fuse. "It was packed solid with another binding agent," said Detective Sergeant Thomas Stone. Police believe the device may have been in the homeowner's front yard for a few days and suspect local youth may have been following directions from a YouTube video to craft the crude device.

On Tuesday, October 18th, the Atlantic Highlands Police Department received a call at 5:35 PM from an Ocean Blvd. resident stating that he believed that he had discovered a homemade explosive device. Sergeant John Weighell and Patrolman Adam Gurian responded locating what they believed to be an explosive device, possibly a pipe bomb that was in the grass near the side walk at Ocean Blvd & Fourth Ave.

Chief Jerry Vasto and Detective Sergeant Thomas Stone responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. The New Jersey State Police Arson and Bomb Unit was requested along with the Atlantic Highlands Fire Department and First Aid Squad. The area was secured for the safety of local residents and emergency personnel for about two hours. The NJSP Bomb Unit Officers were able to determine what the device was and defuse it safely during that time. Specific information about the device is not available at this time due to the ongoing investigation. All units cleared from the area by 8:00 PM.

"If it had ignited, it could have caused a fire and (small) explosion," said Det. Sgt. Stone, "But not the kind of damage we see out in the world."

On Monday, October 17th, volunteers from the IT department at K. Hovnanian Companies, LLC descended onto Poricy Park in Middletown to work on a number of projects aimed at improving the park’s facilities. Poricy Park attracts thousands of elementary-aged students each year, as they learn about the local environment and unique history of the area.

K. Hovnanian Associates painting the Historic 1770 Murray Barn (area is site of skirmish during the Revolutionary War)

The park features prehistoric fossil beds, a historic farmhouse that was the site of a skirmish during the Revolutionary War, and includes a nature center and other educational facilities.

HAZLET, NJ - On October 18, 2011, the Hazlet Township Board of Education voted unanimously to approve Dr. Bernard F. Bragen, Jr. as Superintendent of Schools. The vacancy was created last month when Dr. William O. George was appointed by the Middletown Township Public Schools to lead their district. Dr. Bragen has served as Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Hazlet since November 2007. Board of Education President, Stephen F. Willig stated, “The Board, and the entirety of Hazlet Township, are fortunate to be able to turn to such a high caliber individual to lead the District as Dr. Bragen. Through our direct involvement with Dr. Bragen over the past four years, the Board has seen the superior quality and character of this individual demonstrated on a daily basis. In the process of reaching a determination on who would be the next Superintendent, the Board noted how impressed we were not only with Dr. Bragen’s demonstrated achievements in the District but also with his vision for ongoing improvements. We will continue to expect great achievements by our students under the new supervision and guidance of Dr. Bragen.”

Dr. Bragen’s educational experience includes working as a Special Education Teacher, Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant, Supervisor of Special Services, Assistant Principal, Principal, and most recently as Assistant Superintendent in the Hazlet Township Public Schools.

TRENTON — New Jersey’s September revenue collections fell 6.9 percent compared to original budget estimates as the tax extension granted after Hurricane Irene delayed tax payments to the State Treasury from September to October. Total collections are 3.6 percent under budget amounts for the first three months of the fiscal year.

“Taxpayers affected by the storm and the flooding that followed had the opportunity to delay September tax payments until October,” Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff said. “We believe thisextension, while clearly necessary and appropriate to aid businesses and individuals impacted by the storm, pushed millions of dollars of revenue collections into October.

Year-to-date collections of the income tax were 2.8 percent below budget, sales taxes were off by 3 percent and the corporation business tax was down 7.8 percent.

“Because September was so greatly impacted by storms and their aftermath, we won’t know until October collections are counted whether revenue is continuing to track budget estimates,” said Dr.Charles Steindel, Chief Economist for the New Jersey Treasury. “Those figures will also give us a clearer indication of the overall impact of Hurricane Irene has had on New Jersey’s economy.

”September was the last month of the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Collections are up 2.6 percent from thefirst quarter of the last fiscal year. Collections for just September are down 3.2 percent compared toSeptember 2010.

MIDDLETOWN, NJ – On Monday, Oct. 17, MonmouthCounty will close the OceanicBridge (S-31) over the NavesinkRiver to motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic for repair work to rehabilitate the bridge’s 100-foot, center bascule span.

Photo: Allan Dean

To accommodate marine traffic, one section of the bridge’s double-leaf bascule span will be kept in the upright position. The work requires the bridge to be closed to all other traffic until the work is completed by Memorial Day weekend 2012.

The rehabilitation work on the double-leaf bascule span includes the removal of the existing grid deck and construction of a new grid deck. The work also will include the rehabilitation or removal and replacement of stringers, floor beams, supporting steelwork and a catwalk.

Additionally, work to strengthen structural steel and to repair mechanical and electrical systems will be done along with the cleaning and painting of the existing bascule span steel.

“The repair work will extend the usable life of this 72-year-old bridge,” Freeholder Deputy Director John P. Curley said. “This 2,700-foot bridge that connects Rumson and Middletown is slated for full replacement in the next five to 10 years, but repairs are needed now.”

The county Department of Public Works and Engineering held public meetings last month to review the various bridge replacement options and the costs associated with it. Information, maps and public comment forms are available on the Roads and Bridges section of the countyWeb site at www.visitmonmouth.com. There is also an interview with Freeholder Curley and County Engineer Joseph Ettore available on YouTube.

Motorists should use the signed detours and expect travel delays during the project. All motor vehicle traffic on Bingham Avenue between Rumson and Middletown (CR-8) will be detoured. Traffic can either travel west through Fair Haven and Red Bank to Middletown or travel east through Sea Bright and Highlands to Middletown.